Life-changing surgery is on hold for a 2-year-old boy. His mom says it's because of red tape between the hospital and police. She is fighting to change that.

Author:
Neima Abdulahi

Published:
9:44 AM EDT October 15, 2017

Updated:
9:44 AM EDT October 15, 2017

Life-changing surgery is on hold for a 2-year-old boy. His mom says it's because of red tape between the hospital and police. She is fighting to change that.

Her son has no kidneys. He was born without them.

A.J. does have a willing donor who is a perfect match -- yet he is left waiting. A.J.'s dad, Anthony Dickerson, is a perfect match.

"That's all I ever wanted -- was a son," Anthony said. "And I finally got him, and he's in this situation."

Anthony was scheduled to donate his left kidney to A.J., their miracle baby. Mom Carmella Burgess was excited.

"Two steps closer to giving him a kidney and we got shut down, basically," she said.

Things started to go downhill when Dickerson was arrested for violating his probation last month. Charged with possession of a firearm.

A letter he says Emory Hospital sent to the Gwinnett County Jail states, "Mr. Dickerson is currently in custody for a parole violation. If Mr. Dickerson could be escorted to Emory for blood work and a pre-operative appointment tomorrow, September 29, we will be able to continue with the scheduled surgery."

Dickerson said the hospital's tone changed once he was released.

"The Living Donor Transplant Team at Emory as asked Mr. Dickerson for evidence of compliance from his parole officer for the next three months. We will re-evaluate Mr. Dickerson in January 2018 after receipt of his completed documentation."

The family says a probation violation shouldn't stop the process -- especially if Dickerson is healthy and clean.

"It's about my son," Carmella said. "He's been through a lot. It's like we've been waiting on this. And Dad making a mistake shouldn't affect what he wants to do with our son."